System for the transportation of loads and/or persons at height

ABSTRACT

A system for the transportation of loads and/or persons at height comprises at least one car defining at least one cab for the transportation of loads and/or persons, and comprises a (tangible) cable transport component/unit/device/machine (or the like) of the car adapted to move the latter suspended at height; and a (tangible) movement component/unit/device/machine (or the like) of the car onto the ground.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system for the transportation ofloads and/or persons at height.

BACKGROUND ART

Several systems are known to be used for the transportation of loadsand/or persons at height along routes that are generally difficult tocover using conventional motorised means of transport or on foot.

Generally, these types of system make use of cable transport means, suchas cableways, where one or more cars are attached along a cable thatruns suspended along a predefined route, e.g. along the slope of amountain.

Specifically, this type of system carries cars of known type along aclosed route between two arrival/departure stations, where the system'susers can get in and out of the car.

This way, the systems of known type allow for easy transportation ofloads and/or persons along routes that are difficult to cover betweenthe arrival/departure stations.

This type of system is however susceptible to improvements related totheir functionality and convenience of use.

In fact, the cars used by the known type of systems are bound to thecable of the corresponding means of transport, from which they arereleased only to perform maintenance and/or replacement operations ofthe car itself and/or of the system.

Therefore, the cars are substantially unusable when released from thesystem's cable. In addition, after being released, the cars aredifficult to move, as they are particularly bulky.

In addition, the arrival/departure stations of the systems are notalways easily reachable by the users, for example because of themorphological characteristics of the area where the system is installedand/or the weather conditions.

These drawbacks limit the functionality of the systems of known type,making them inconvenient and complicated to use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a system and arelated car which allow increasing the functionality and the way of useof the same compared to the systems and cars of known type.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a system and arelated car which allow overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks of theprior art within a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low costsolution.

The objects set out above are achieved by the present system having thecharacteristics of claim 1.

The objects set out above are achieved by the present car having thecharacteristics of claim 12.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome more clear from the description of a preferred, but notexclusive, embodiment of a system and a related car, illustrated by wayof an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tablesof drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of the system's station according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the system according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of some components of the systemaccording to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view of the system's components shown in FIG.3 ;

FIG. 5 is an axonometric view of some components of the system accordingto the invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 7 globallyindicates a system for the transportation of loads and/or persons atheight.

The system 7 comprises:

-   -   at least one car 1 defining at least one cab 2 for the        transportation of loads and/or persons;    -   cable transport means 4 of the car 1 adapted to move the latter        suspended at height;    -   movement means 6 of the car 1 onto the ground.

Advantageously, the system 7 comprises a plurality of cars 1 moved bythe movement means 6 on the ground and by the transport means 4 atheight.

In particular, the cable transport means 4 comprise at least one cable 8connected in a closed loop sliding along an aerial route C and aplurality of fixed supports 36 to which the cable itself is coupled insuspension, for example as is the case in cableways of known type.

Conveniently, the system 7 comprises removable hooking means 3 of thecar 1 to the cable transport means 4 adapted to move the car itselfsuspended at height.

Specifically, the hooking means 3 comprise:

-   -   at least one supporting arm 9 secured to the cable transport        means 4 and provided with at least a first hooking portion 10;    -   at least a second hooking portion 11 associated with the car 1        and coupleable to the first hooking portion 10 in a removable        manner

Preferably, the supporting arm 9 comprises a first end 12 attached tothe cable 8 and a second end 13 on which the first hooking portion 10 isformed.

On the other hand, the car 1 comprises a roof 14 on which the secondhooking portion 11 is formed.

According to a possible embodiment of the system 7, the first hookingportion 10 comprises a plurality of housings and the second hookingportion 11 comprises a plurality of locking pins which are insertable ina removable manner inside the respective housings for securing the car 1to the supporting arm 9 and consequently to the transport means 4.

According to the invention, the hooking means 3 comprise a plurality ofsupporting arms 9 adapted to be hooked in a removable manner to arespective car 1 to move it in suspension.

Advantageously, the system comprises removable coupling means 16, 17 ofthe car 1 to the movement means 6 onto the ground.

In detail, the car 1 is movable between a first operating configuration,wherein the coupling means 16, 17 secure the car 1 to the movement means6, and a second operating configuration, wherein the hooking means 3secure the car 1 to the transport means 4 and the car itself issuspended.

Preferably, in the second operating configuration, the car 1 isuncoupled from the movement means 6 by means of the coupling means 16,17.

Furthermore, preferably, in the first operating configuration, the car 1is uncoupled from the transport means 4 by means of the hooking means 3.

Advantageously, the movement means 6 onto the ground comprise at leastone movable support 15 coupleable to the car 1 in a removable manner bymeans of the coupling means 16, 17 and adapted to hold the car 1 duringthe movement of the same onto the ground.

In particular, the coupling means 16, 17 comprise at least a firstcoupling portion 16 associated with the movable support 15 and a secondcoupling portion 17 associated with the car 1 and coupleable to thefirst coupling portion 16 in a removable manner

Preferably, the movable support 15 comprises a supporting surface 18arranged, in use, substantially horizontal to the ground, intended toreceive the car 1 and on which the first coupling portion 16 is formed.

On the other hand, the car 1 comprises a bottom wall 19 on which thesecond coupling portion 17 is formed.

This way, when the bottom wall 19 rests on the supporting surface 18,the first coupling portion 16 and the second coupling portion 17 arecoupled to secure the car 1 and the movable support 15 to each other soas to allow the movement of the car itself onto the ground.

Advantageously, the movable support 15 comprises a pair of retainingside rails 20 of the car 1 in the first operating configuration.

In particular, the retaining side rails 20 are arranged substantiallyparallel and opposite each other and suitably spaced apart to define ahousing channel for housing the car 1.

In addition, the retaining side rails 20 are associated cantileveredwith respect to the supporting surface 18 and arranged substantiallyvertical to the ground.

In fact, in the first operating configuration, the car 1 is arrangedinside the housing channel 21, positioned between the retaining siderails 20.

Indeed, the car 1 comprises at least one pair of side walls 22 arrangedsubstantially opposite and parallel to each other and adapted to bearranged facing a respective retaining side rail 20 in the firstoperating configuration.

Appropriately, the side walls 22 are positioned between the roof 14 andthe bottom wall 19 to define the cab 2 with the latter.

Advantageously, the movement means 6 comprise a plurality of movablesupports 15 adapted to be coupled in a removable manner to a respectivecar 1 to move it onto the ground.

Appropriately, the coupling means 16, 17 comprise a first couplingportion 16 formed on each movable support 15 and a second couplingportion 17 associated on each car 1.

Conveniently, the movable support 15 comprises at least one motor-drivenassembly for the movement of the support itself onto the ground.

In particular, the motor-driven assembly comprises at least fourmutually independent wheels 23 and respective electric actuators, notshown in the figures, each of which is mechanically coupled to arespective wheel 23.

This way, each wheel 23 is driven in rotation independently of theothers by the corresponding electric actuator to allow the movement ofthe movable support 15.

Conveniently, the system 7 comprises at least one exchange station 24located between the movement means 6 onto the ground and the transportmeans 4 at height and defining at least one point of departure 25, atwhich the car 1 is moved from the first operating configuration to thesecond operating configuration, and at least one point of arrival 26, atwhich the car 1 is moved from the second operating configuration to thefirst operating configuration.

Advantageously, the movement means 6 comprise at least one of either:

-   -   guidance means 27 for guiding the movable support 15 along at        least one predetermined route D and provided with at least one        way of arrival 28 to the point of departure 25 and at least one        way of departure 29 from the point of arrival 26; or    -   stiff shifting means 37 of the movable support 15 between the        point of departure 25 and the point of arrival 26 along a        shifting direction B.

Preferably, the guidance means 27 comprise at least one pair of guides30 defining at least one lane 31, 32 inside which moves the movablesupport 15.

In particular, the guidance means 27 comprise at least one arrival lane31 defining the way of arrival 28 and at least one departure lane 32defining the way of departure 29.

Preferably, the shifting means 37 comprise a movable belt 33 positionedbetween the point of arrival 26 and the point of departure 25.

In particular, the movable belt 33 comprises at least one first end atwhich the point of departure 25 is defined and at least one second endat which the point of arrival 26 is defined.

Advantageously, the system 7 comprises both the guidance means 27 andthe shifting means 37.

This way, the movable support 15 reaches the point of departure 25 viathe way of arrival 28, is shifted to the point of arrival 26 by theshifting means 37, and moves away from the point of arrival 26 via theway of departure 29.

In particular, when the movable support 15 is arranged at the point ofdeparture 25 and of the point of arrival 26, the retaining side rails 20are arranged substantially parallel to the shifting direction B.

This way, the shifting means 37 move the movable support 15 and approacha car 1, inserting it into the housing channel 21.

In particular, the retaining side rails 20 slide laterally along thebody of the car 1, partly enveloping it.

Similarly, the shifting means 37 move the movable support away from acar 1 to slide it out of the housing channel 21.

In particular, the retaining side rails 20 slide laterally along thebody of the car 1 and release it.

In particular, the way of arrival 28 and the way of departure 29 extendsubstantially parallel to each other along their respective directionsof guidance A of the movable support 15 arranged substantiallyorthogonal with respect to the shifting direction B.

Advantageously, the motor-driven assembly is configured to move themovable support 15 along a direction of movement.

In particular, the motor-driven assembly is configured to move themovable support 15 in a first direction of travel of the direction ofmovement and to reverse the direction of travel, moving the movablesupport 15 in a second direction of travel of the direction of movementopposite the first one.

This way, when the movable support 15 is shifted between the point ofdeparture 25 and the point of arrival 26, the motor-driven assemblyreverses the direction of travel thereof, so as to cover the way ofarrival 28 and the way of departure 29 in the first direction of traveland in the second direction of travel, respectively.

Advantageously, the movement means 6 comprise at least one power supplyline 34 which extends along the predetermined route D and configured toelectrically supply at least one of either the movable support 15 or thecar 1.

In fact, at least one of either the movable support 15 or the car 1comprises at least one connecting element 35, not shown in the figures,positioned, in use, in sliding contact with the power supply line 34.

In particular, the power supply line 34 and the connecting element 35are configured to power one or more electronic appliances of the car 1and/or of the movable support 15.

According to the invention, while the movable support 15 comprises theconnecting element 35, the car 1 is not provided with it.

The system 7 however comprises removable electrical connection means,not shown in the figures, positioned between the movable support 15 andthe car 1 and configured to electrically connect the latter in the firstoperating configuration.

This way, the power supply line 34 supplies the movable support 15,which, in the first operating configuration, connects the same powersupply line to the car 1 by interposition of the electrical connectionmeans.

Further embodiments of the system 7 cannot be ruled out wherein both themovable support 15 and the car 1 are provided with the electricalconnecting element 35.

Preferably, the electrical connecting element 35 is of the type of asliding contact of known type and the power supply line 34 is of thetype of an electrically conductive metal track.

This way, the power supply line 34 and the connecting element 35 make acontact line power supply system.

According to the possible embodiment of the system 7, with particularreference to FIG. 5 , the power supply line 34 is associated with theguidance means 27.

In particular, the power supply line 34 is associated with the guides 30and arranged facing the inside of the lane 31, 32.

This way, during the displacement of the movable support 15 inside thelane 31, 32, the connecting element 35 remains in contact with the powersupply line 34. Advantageously, the car 1 comprises at least onebattery, not shown in the figures, configured to electrically power oneor more electronic appliances in the car, such as e.g. the outlets forcharging electronic devices, interactive entertainment devices for carusers and the like.

Further, the electrical connection means or the connecting element 35,if any, of the car 1 are configured to recharge the battery when the caris in the first operating configuration, particularly when the powersupply line 34 and the connecting element 35 are in contact with eachother.

This way, in the second operating configuration, the battery is chargedand can keep the electronic appliances powered of the car 1.

The operation of the system 7 is as follows.

Advantageously, the car 1, loaded onto a respective movable support 15,covers the way of arrival 28 until it reaches the point of departure 25of a station 24.

At the point of departure 25 the movable support 15 stops its travel,and while the supporting arm 9 is hooked to the car 1, the movablesupport 15 is uncoupled from it.

In this configuration, the shifting means 37 shift the movable support15 away from the car 1, approaching it to an additional car 1 arrangedby the transport means 4 at the point of arrival 26.

This way, the shifting means 37 fit the new car 1 inside the housingchannel 21 of the movable support 15.

In this configuration, while the supporting arm 9 is released from thenew car 1, the movable support 15 is hooked thereto.

This way, the movable support 15 moves the new car 1 away from the pointof arrival 26 along the way of departure 29 and the car 1, previouslyentrusted to the transport means 4, is moved by the same away from thepoint of departure 25.

This process is repeated continuously.

A possible embodiment of the system 7 is shown in FIG. 2 .

In this embodiment, the system 7 comprises a pair of exchange stations24 between which the transport means 4 are positioned.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the movement means 6 comprise aplurality of ways of arrival and departure 28, 29 arranged at the pointsof arrival and departure 25, 26 of the respective stations 24.

Further embodiments of the system 7 cannot however be ruled out, whereinthe same comprises the movement means 6 positioned between the twostations 24 and transport means 4 for each station 24.

Further embodiments of the system 7 cannot be ruled out in which thesame comprises any combination of the movement means 6, transport means4 and stations 24.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a carfor the transportation of loads and/or persons, globally indicated byreference numeral 1 in the figures.

The car 1 for the transportation at height defines at least one cab 2for the transportation of loads and/or persons and comprises at leastone of:

-   -   removable hooking means 3 of the car 1 to cable transport means        4 of the car itself;    -   removable coupling means 16, 17 of the car 1 to the movement        means 6 of the car itself onto the ground.

Preferably, the car 1 comprises both hooking means 3 and coupling means16, 17.

This way, the coupling means 16, 17 secure the car 1 to the movementmeans 6 to allow the same to be moved onto the ground, and the hookingmeans 3 secure the car 1 to the transport means 4 to allow the same tobe moved suspended at height.

Advantageously, the car 1 comprises at least one seat, not shown in thefigures, occupiable by at least one user of the car 1 and mounted insidethe cab 2.

Preferably, the seat is of the known type.

Furthermore, the car 1 comprises a plurality of seats to accommodate aplurality of users inside the cab 2 during the movement of the caritself.

Conveniently, the car 1 comprises at least one housing, not shown in thefigures, of at least one load to be transported.

This way, the users of the car 1 place conveniently and easily one ormore loads, such as e.g. personal belongings, sports equipment, food andthe like, inside the housing.

Preferably, the housing is made inside the cab 2.

Alternative embodiments of the car 1 cannot however be ruled out whereinthe housing is made outside of the cab 2 or wherein the car itselfcomprises a plurality of housings made inside and/or outside the cab 2.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described inventionachieves the intended objects.

In particular, the cable transport means and movement means onto theground allow for more ways and flexibility of use to the system and therelevant car with respect to the systems and cars of known type.

In addition, the hooking means and the coupling means allow the systemto employ the car in a versatile and dynamic manner for both movementonto the ground and overhead movement at height.

1) A system for the transportation of loads and/or persons at heightcomprising at least one car defining at least one cab for thetransportation of loads and/or persons, the system comprising: cabletransport means of said car adapted to move the latter suspended atheight; and movement means of said car onto the ground. 2) The systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: removable hooking means ofsaid car to said cable transport means. 3) The system according to claim2, wherein said hooking means comprise: at least one supporting armsecured to said cable transport means and provided with at least a firsthooking portion; and at least a second hooking portion associated withsaid car and coupleable to said first hooking portion in a removablemanner. 4) The system according to claim 1, further comprising:removable coupling means of said car to said movement means onto theground. 5) The system according to claim 4, wherein said movement meansonto the ground comprise at least one movable support coupleable to saidcar in a removable manner by means of said coupling means and adapted tohold said car during the movement of the same onto the ground. 6) Thesystem according to claim 5, wherein said movable support comprises atleast one motor-driven assembly for the movement of the support itselfonto the ground. 7) The system according to claim 2, wherein said car ismovable between a first operating configuration, wherein said couplingmeans secure said car to said movement means onto the ground, placingsaid car resting on the ground, and at least a second operatingconfiguration, wherein said hooking means secure said car to said cabletransport means, placing said car in suspension. 8) The system accordingto claim 7, further comprising: at least one exchange station locatedbetween said movement means onto the ground and said transport means atheight and defining at least one point of departure, at which said caris moved from said first operating configuration to said secondoperating configuration, and at least one point of arrival, at whichsaid car is moved from said second operating configuration to said firstoperating configuration. 9) The system according to claim 8, whereinsaid movement means comprise at least one of either: guidance means forguiding said movable support along at least one predetermined route andprovided with at least one way of arrival said point of departure and atleast one way of departure from said point of arrival; or stiff shiftingmeans of said movable support between said point of departure and saidpoint of arrival along a shifting direction. 10) The system according toclaim 9, wherein said way of arrival and said way of departure extendsubstantially parallel to each other along their respective directionsof guidance of said movable support arranged substantially orthogonalwith respect to said shifting direction. 11) The system according toclaim 5, wherein said movement means comprise at least one power supplyline which extends along said predetermined route and configured toelectrically supply at least one of either said movable support for saidcar; and at least one of either said movable support or said carcomprises at least one connecting element positioned, in use, in slidingcontact with said power supply line.
 12. A car for the transportation atheight defining at least one cab for the transportation of loads and/orpersons, said car comprising at least one of either: removable hookingmeans of said car to cable transport means adapted to move the caritself suspended at height; removable coupling means of said car tomovement means of the car itself onto the ground.